drivemycar

I would like to hear from the group regarding an unsolicited proposal I received this morning from pre-owned Lexus sales mgr who noticed I was in his agency a week ago looking at buying & financing a 2008-09 vintage RX, and that I was price sensitive. We are nearing our mid-sixties (ouch), and have never owned a Lexus before, use is primarily local driving, put on about 7,500 miles a year.

I don't know the differences between 2nd gen and 3rd gen, the 2nd gen car I was about to buy/finance did not have the Navi screen, but had other packages, as well as 76K miles. Tires were 9/32. PP was around $16,500, plus about 700 in dealer fees, and plus state sales tax. Because of age of car, the payments were going to be around the 400 mark, tax incl.

I have never driven the 3rd gen, but a few of this dealer's inventory of 2012 off lease CPOs have only 21K miles, and of course the PP can be negotiated somewhat. Acquisition fee is 700, and they want $1000 down, and say monthly payments can be brought in to around the 340 mark.

Any reason I would stick with a 2008 in great condition, but with 76K miles, instead of a 2012 CPO, with somewhere between 21K-33K miles, if monthly payments are somewhat lower for a lease, with about 1775 downpayment, including the 700 acquisition fee? At our current rate of use, after 3 years, 2012 will have about 45K on it, perhaps we'd purchase it. Dealer said residuals on these cars runs about 63%, which I have not checked out at all. Dealer had told me 2008 did not necessarily need premikum fuel; what about the 3 gen, the 2011/2012 CPOs.... Premium fuel? Should I assume tires will have to be changed at around 40K? Any features to watch out for in leasing thru Lexus Financial? ALSO, is it less to lease a 2012 with low mileage than a 2012 with average mileage? Does residual value change alot if it's got 24K miles on it as opposed to 42K?

kitlz

drivemycar, first thing to do is go test drive a 3RX. You'll get plenty of people giving you their opinions on going one way over another. But you're the one ultimately driving and paying for the vehicle. Now is the time to do your due diligence. BTW, it's regular gas for the '12 RX.